Project Overview

The easiest way to give your bathroom a makeover is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. This step-by-step guide will show you how to paint your walls and ceilings without making a mess. Before you start, choose an oil-based, semi-gloss finish that is mould and mildew resistant. It’s also important to keep your bathroom well ventilated.

How to paint with a roller

When you’re painting a ceiling with a roller, keep the end of the roller facing the side of the surface that you have already cut in. This will make sure that the roller’s metal frame doesn’t damage your walls.

Step 1. Cover your fittings

Step 2. Prepare your painting surface

If you’ve got any mould, get rid of it with a bleach solution before you begin. You’ll need to sand the paint coats off your plaster walls and ceiling before you paint. Use a sanding pad and 150 grit sanding paper for a nice even finish. Then wipe down the surfaces with a cloth to get the dust off.

Step 5. Apply undercoat to the ceiling

After cutting in your ceiling and walls, paint the ceiling with the undercoat. Use a roller for good coverage when painting larger surfaces. Make sure you keep the flat surface of the roller on the wall side when rolling, so the metal bracket doesn’t damage your wall.

Step 6. Apply undercoat to the walls

Step 7. Apply the topcoats

Once the undercoat is dry, apply your topcoat the same way you applied the undercoat in Steps 4-6. Start by cutting in your ceiling and walls again along your marking tape for the topcoat. Then paint the ceiling using your roller, applying an even paint spread. Let the topcoat dry and give the ceiling another topcoat.

Step 8. Apply the paint colour

If the wall colour is different to your ceiling, you’ll need to thoroughly clean all of your painting gear so that you don’t mix your paint colours. Tape the ceiling up along the wall join to protect your new paint, and then cut in your wall edges (See Step 4). Now roll your first topcoat onto the walls and let it dry. Add a second coat, especially if it’s a dark colour. When the second coat is dry, remove all the tape from your walls.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.

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